How much network marketing software do I need, and when do I need it?

Software selection (party plan software and MLM software) actually begins with the strategic plan and an understanding of the business model, business rules, and overall business strategies. The unique requirements of direct selling, Multilevel Marketing (MLM), and Party Plan Business, demand the careful design and organization of the strategy and model. Bear in mind that the MLM software decision (including the build / buy decision) must account for a host of special needs that your company will have to consider, regardless of the product and service mix of your marketing strategy. MLM software and Party Plan software are truly “unique animals” with unique demands.

These unique requirements include most, if not all, of the following:

Genealogy Management

Commissions

Order Processing

Payment Processing

Customer Service Administration

Contact Tracking and CRM

Order Fulfillment

Accounting Issues

Product Returns

Accounts Receivable

Inventory

Distributor Access

Recruiting and Training

Affiliate and Replicated Sites

Downline Management

Hostess Rewards and Incentives

Awards, Incentives and Recognition

Structured Communications

Compliance

International

From all our years of experience, we recommend that the starting point for MLM software selection or Party Plan software development or selection is not to “shop” software vendors but to go through the rigorous exercise of defining your company’s business requirements. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, the most efficient and thorough of which is to use a requirements document or questionnaire / outline that guides you.

Please understand that this is not an attempt to “sell” the reader on LaunchSmart™ tools, but instead to educate how the tools have come into existence and how they can help to simplify the process. Whether you use a project notebook or use a requirements list such as the LaunchSmart™ proprietary template for drafting and documenting business requirements, it is an exercise that is done over time as each area of your strategic plan begins to unfurl.

For instance, the grueling process of working through your compensation plan design creates the perfect opportunity to define the business rules and policies supporting or flowing from the compensation plan. Capture those rules and policies by carefully documenting them in a project notebook or requirements list. A good compensation plan designer will provide you with the documented elements that will help to shape your business rules in this vital area of your business.

Following is an overview of some of the key areas to consider when preparing your requirements prior to selecting your MLM software.

Maximizing Sales Effectiveness and Recruiting

If your marketing and sales plans call for maximizing sales effectiveness and recruiting through the use of technology, you will wish to include this requirement in your list. It should include requirements and tools such as helping distributors and consultants to recruit more efficiently, predictably, and profitably using the right tools and methods that work for your company. Perhaps you wish to have integrated sales opportunity analytics and embedded support for sales process best practices. The outcome is typically much more consistency in the recruiting cycles, yielding higher close rates.

Supporting Marketing Challenges and Distributor Needs

Take time to identify the requirements that enable your organization (whether you choose the MLM business model or the Party Plan company model) to increase the value of relationships by allowing distributors and consultants to interact with customers that reflect a deeper understanding of the customer’s needs and wants – their “why.” This would include personalized campaigns that synchronize across channels and provide feedback to the user.

As a start-up or as an existing company looking for the best MLM software solution you must consider the following:

Scaleable MLM software technology

International – language, tax, and currency

Data Security and catastrophic recovery

Outsourcing your mlm software infastructure to experts

Payroll Flexibility – checks, debit cards, direct deposit

MLM Experts vs Technology Gurus (You need both)

Inovative Tools & systems for affiliates & distributors

Legal MLM Software compliance (proper tracking)

Plus many other critical considerations

As an example, here are some common distributor and consultant applications for MLM software and Party Plan software, whether purchased or developed in-house. Remember that the key is determine what your business really needs, what will really set it apart, and then shop your requirements list. Don’t get caught in the trap of getting “sold” what you need without understanding how your business can be its best:

Calendar that integrates to company events and distributor’s own events and activities

Address book, mailing labels, birthday tracker

Lead Management tools

Warm Contact List Creation and MLM Software – guided administration

Develop and manage personal warm market list

Set priorities and follow-up actions with dates

Track call history, notes, contact categories

Distributor or Consultant Tax Tracking with the MLM Software as the backbone

Facilitate tax documentation and strategies associated with home-based business

Provide information and references

Party Plan Order Entry

Entering online orders

Managing hostess program

Tracking past activity and future commitments

Real-time credit card processing

By way of an additional example, and certainly not an exhaustive or comprehensive list, the realm of the company’s business operations provides another opportunity to illustrate the types of general requirements that your company should consider in the MLM software selection process. Specific requirements would be generated in the course of the business planning process.